15Objections to enrolment

15 Objections to enrolment

15 Objections to enrolment

(1) Before the close of enrolments, the returning officer and any person who is entitled to vote in a poll may object to the inclusion of the name of any person in the final roll.

(2) An objection—

(a) must be in a form approved by the Secretary, and

(b) must state the grounds on which it is made, and

(c) must be signed by the objector, and

(d) must be lodged with the returning officer.

(3) The returning officer must send particulars of an objection to the person to whom the objection relates.

(4) The person to whom an objection relates may lodge a written reply with the returning officer within 7 days after the date on which particulars of the objection were sent to that person.

(5) The returning officer must consider each objection, and any reply received within that 7-day period, and may make such inquiries as the returning officer thinks fit.

(6) The returning officer may accept or reject an objection.

(7) If the returning officer accepts an objection, the returning officer must exclude the name of the person to whom the objection relates from the final roll for the poll and must inform the person and the objector, in writing, that the person’s name is so excluded.

(8) If the returning officer rejects an objection, the returning officer must inform the person to whom the objection relates and the objector, in writing, that the returning officer has rejected the objection.

(9) The returning officer may require a person who lodges an objection, or who replies to an objection, to verify the objection or reply by statutory declaration.

(10) For the purpose of enabling the returning officer to make a decision to accept or reject an objection to the inclusion of the name of a person in the final roll, the returning officer may require the appropriate officer to furnish the returning officer with such information regarding the person as the returning officer may specify.